Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/IRAN.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 9KB | 156 lines

Iran - Travel Warning
August 31, 1993

The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against travel to Iran,
where danger continues to exist because of the generally anti-American
atmosphere and Iranian government hostility to the U.S. government.  U.S.
citizens traveling to Iran have been detained without charge, arrested and
harassed by Iranian authorities.  There are restrictions on both import and
export of goods from Iran to the United States.

The U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular relations
with the Islamic Republic of Iran.  The Swiss government, acting through its
Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran
and provides only very limited consular services.  Neither U.S. passports
nor visas to the U.S. are issued in Tehran.

Further details are available in the Department of State's Consular
Information Sheet for Iran.

No. 93-035

This replaces the Department of State Travel Warning for Iran issued January
8, 1993, to include information on the limits on available consular services
in Iran.

Iran - Consular Information Sheet
August 31, 1993

Warning:  The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against travel to
Iran, where danger continues to exist because of the generally anti-American
atmosphere and Iranian government hostility to the U.S. government.  U.S.
citizens traveling to Iran have been detained without charge, arrested and
harassed by Iranian authorities.  There are restrictions on both import and
export of goods from Iran to the United States.  The U.S. government does
not currently have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic
Republic of Iran.  The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in
Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran and
provides only very limited consular services.  Neither U.S. passports nor
visas to the U.S. are issued in Tehran.

Country Description:  Iran is a constitutional Islamic Republic, governed by
executive and legislative branches that derive national leadership primarily
through the Muslim clergy.  Shia Islam is the official religion of Iran, and
Islamic law is the basis of the authority of the state.  Islamic ideals and
beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws
and practices.  Iran is a developing country.  The workweek in Iran is
Sunday through Thursday.

Entry Requirements:  Visa and passport are required.  The Iranian government
maintains an Interests Section through the Embassy of Pakistan in
Washington, D.C., located at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue N.W., Washington D.C.
20007, telephone [phone].  U.S. passports are valid for travel to
Iran.  However, U.S./Iranian dual nationals have often had their U.S.
passports confiscated upon arrival and have been denied permission to depart
the country documented as U.S. citizens.  To prevent the confiscation of
U.S. passports, the Department of State suggests that Americans leave their
U.S. passports at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas for safekeeping
before entering Iran.  To facilitate their travel in the event of the
confiscation of a U.S. passport, dual nationals may obtain in their Iranian
passports the necessary visas for countries which they will transit on their
return to the U.S., and where they may apply for a new U.S. passport.  Dual
nationals must enter and leave the United States on U.S. passports.

Areas of Instability:  Travel to Iran continues to be dangerous because of
the generally anti-American atmosphere and Iranian government hostility to
the U.S. government.  U.S. citizens traveling in Iran have been detained
without charge, arrested and harassed by Iranian authorities.  Persons in
Iran who violate Iranian laws, including laws which are unfamiliar to
westerners (such as laws regarding the proper wearing apparel), may face
penalties which are at times severe.

Iranian Transaction Regulations:  The United States prohibits the
importation of all Iranian-origin goods or services into the United States
without authorization.  This authorization may be obtained for qualifying
goods from either of two sources: the Treasury Department's Office of
Foreign Assets Control ("FAC") (tel. [phone]) or the U.S. Customs
Service ("Customs") in the port where goods arrive.

FAC criteria for authorization:  FAC issues licenses only for goods which
were located outside of Iran prior to imposition of these sanctions on
October 29, 1987.  Goods in Iran after that do not qualify for authorization
from Customs criteria for authorization:  Iranian-origin goods, including
those that were in Iran after October 29, 1987, may enter the United States
if they qualify for entry under the following provisions administered solely
by Customs:

(1) gifts valued at 100 dollars or less,

(2) goods for personal use contained in the accompanied baggage of persons
traveling from Iran valued at 400 dollars or less, or

(3) goods qualifying for duty-free treatment as "household goods" or
"personal effects" (as defined by U.S. law and subject to quantity
limitations).  Inquiries about these provisions should be directed to
Customs in the U.S. port where the goods would arrive.

Trade Restrictions:  While there is no blanket prohibition against U.S.
companies doing business with companies in Iran, there are restrictions on
U.S. exports to Iran as well as on the importation of Iranian-origin goods
and services into the U.S.  Questions concerning exports to Iran may be
addressed to the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Licensing at (202)
482-4811.

Medical Facilities:  Basic medical care and medicines are available in the
principal cities of Iran, but may not be available in outlying areas.  U.S.
medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  In some
cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has
proved useful.  The international travelers' hotline at the Center for
Disease Control, tel. [phone], has additional useful health
information.

Information on Crime:  Major crime is generally not a problem for travelers
in Iran, though travelers occasionally have been victims of petty street
crime.  The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported
immediately to local police and the U.S. Interests Section or nearest U.S.
Embassy or Consulate.  Useful information on safeguarding valuables,
protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is
provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and
"Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa."  They are
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices
of the countries in which they travel.  Penalties in Iran for possession,
use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can
expect jail sentences and fines.

Dual Citizenship:  U.S. citizens who were born in Iran or who were at one
time citizens of Iran, and the children of such persons, may be considered
Iranian nationals by Iranian authorities, and may be subject to Iranian laws
which impose special obligations upon Iranian nationals, such as military
service or taxes.  Exit permits for departure from Iran for such persons may
be denied until such obligations are met.  Dual nationals often have their
U.S. passports confiscated and may be denied permission to leave Iran, or
encounter other problems with Iranian authorities.  Measures which can be
taken to facilitate travel, in the event a U.S. passport is confiscated, are
discussed in Paragraph 3 of this information sheet. Specific questions on
dual nationality may be directed to the Office of Citizens Consular
Services, Department of State, Washington, D.C.  20520, Phone: (202) 647-
3926.

Embassy Location:  There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Iran.  The U.S.
Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran is located at Bucharest
Ave., 17th street, No. 5, Tehran.  The local telephone numbers are (98-21)
625-223/224 and 626-906.

No. 93-214

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 8, 1993 to update
the warning, information on Iranian transactions, entry requirements, and
dual nationality, and to add information on reporting the loss of theft of a
U.S. passport abroad.